20 Best Foods to Eat in Penang

The 20 Dishes That Define Penang

Penang is one of Asia's top food destinations. These 20 dishes define the city's food culture.

1. Char Kway Teow

Flat rice noodles wok-fried with dark soy sauce, cockles, duck egg, bean sprouts, and Chinese sausage over lard. Siam Road Char Kway Teow (evenings, Jalan Siam) is the most sought-after current version. RM 8–15.

2. Penang Assam Laksa

Tamarind-based mackerel broth over thick rice noodles with cucumber, pineapple, onion, mint, and ginger flower. Air Itam Assam Laksa (opposite Air Itam market) is the benchmark. RM 5–8.

3. Hokkien Mee (Prawn Mee)

Dark prawn shell broth with yellow noodles, thin vermicelli, prawns, pork ribs, and boiled egg. Joo Hooi Cafe on Penang Road. RM 7–12.

4. Nasi Kandar

Steamed rice with multiple curries. Nasi Kandar Line Clear (24 hours, Jalan Penang) is the institution. RM 10–20.

5. Cendol

Shaved ice with coconut milk, palm sugar syrup, and green rice-flour jelly noodles. Penang Road Famous Cendol has a permanent queue for a reason. RM 4–8.

6. Pasembur (Indian Rojak)

A Tamil Muslim salad of deep-fried fritters, boiled eggs, cucumber, and turnip in a sweet-spicy peanut sauce. Esplanade hawker stalls have the best versions in the evening. RM 8–15.

7. Lor Bak

Five-spice marinated pork wrapped in bean curd skin and deep fried. Great at Gurney Drive Hawker Centre. RM 6–10.

8. Penang Rojak (Chinese Rojak)

Sliced fruits and vegetables tossed in black shrimp paste sauce with crushed peanuts and sesame seeds. RM 6–10.

9. Oh Chien (Oyster Omelette)

Small oysters fried with egg into a crispy-edged omelette. Reliably good at Gurney Drive stalls. RM 10–16.

10. Kari Kambing (Mutton Curry)

Rich, aromatic mutton curry in the North Indian style. Hameediyah Restaurant on Campbell Street is one of the oldest. RM 15–25.

11. Penang White Curry Mee

Yellow noodles in a creamy coconut-milk broth with prawns, cockles, tofu puffs, and sambal. C&Y Curry Mee near Gurney Drive. RM 7–12.

12. Duck Koay Chiap

Braised duck in soy sauce served with flat rice noodles. Campbell Street market area. RM 10–18.

13. Wonton Mee

Egg noodles with char siu, wonton dumplings, and pork broth. RM 7–12.

14. Char Koay Kak (Fried Radish Cake)

Cubes of radish cake fried with egg, bean sprouts, and preserved turnip. RM 6–10.

15. Ban Chang Kuih (Peanut Pancake)

A street-side pancake folded over crushed peanuts and sugar. RM 2–4.

16. Roti Canai

Flaky flatbread served with dal and curry for dipping. Any mamak open at 7am. RM 1.50–3.

17. Teh Tarik

Pulled milk tea — poured between two cups to create froth. Any coffee shop. RM 1.50–2.50.

18. Penang Durian (May–August)

Musang King and D24 durians from Balik Pulau. RM 30–80/kg depending on variety and season.

19. Ais Kacang (ABC)

Shaved ice mounded over red beans, sweet corn, attap seeds, grass jelly, and palm sugar jelly. RM 4–7.

20. Penang Laksa (Nyonya Laksa)

A coconut-milk based laksa with prawns, fish balls, and tofu puffs. Available at Nyonya restaurants in George Town. RM 10–15.